Food is everything in Tokyo, and fish is so often the food of choice. You’ll find that the city’s beating heart can be found in its fish markets.
Meaning: any trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without an early morning start right in the action of one of the city’s three famous fish markets. There’s history at Tsukiji, auctions at Toyosu, and a real local experience at Adachi.
So, set your alarm and get your chopsticks ready as we dive into the world of Tokyo’s fish markets.
Toyosu Fish Market
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Opened in 2018, Toyosu Wholesale Market is where the real action now happens in Tokyo. It’s the centre for fish trade both in the city and in Japan. You’ll find the widest range of seafood sold here.
The market is huge, there’s no denying it, and it’s split into four unique areas: there’s the wholesale fish and tuna auction (where most of the footage of this place is filmed), restaurants, retailers, and other wholesalers.
Since this is a fish market, the restaurants here serve up fresh daily catches and will have everything you’re looking for if you love seafood. Sushi. Of course. Sashimi, yes please. Seafood bowls and grilled fish. It’s the stuff of dreams.
Now let’s talk about those tuna auctions. Bidders compete to take home the biggest catches of the day. It’s fun, fast paced and always worth checking out.
If you truly want to experience the market though, getting up early is a must, or you’ll miss the action. The auctions run daily from 5.45am to 6.25am. And whilst getting up before the sun rises isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the price of a ticket will be: the market is free.
Prime position to watch the action is on the observation deck, and we mean prime. There are only around 100 places available, and you’ll need to apply on the Toyosu Tuna Auction Lottery website. Give yourself about a month in advance to book.
Or head out onto the gallery floor, one story above the auction room. No need to book, but make sure you get there early. Wipe those bleary eyes and take your spot at around 5.00am. It’ll be worth it.
You’ll find the market on the man-made island of Toyosu in the Bay of Tokyo. Trains run into Shijo-mae Station in the centre of the market, with the first one in the morning arriving around 5.20am – not always ideal to get the best spot if you haven’t booked. You can get the bus line 市01 from Shimbashi with buses running frequently between 5.00am and 9.00am. Buses from Tokyo Central don’t run before 7.00am, which won’t work if you’ve got your heart set on the tuna auction.
Tsukiji Fish Market
THE OLD-SCHOOL FAVOURITE
Yes, it’s the most famous fish market in Tokyo, but it’s not what it once was.
Since Toyosu opened in 2018, it’s taken much of the spotlight from Tsukiji. The market was once split into two – the inner market and the outer market. The inner market was where the tuna auctions took place, and was a huge tourist draw. It’s closed today, and with that attraction has switched to Toyosu. The outer market is still open and it’s brimming with charm and still well worth a visit.
Tsukiji has been open since the 16th century (although it moved here in 1935) and was once the largest fish market in the world. A stroll around the market will help you get acquainted with the history of Tokyo’s fish industry.
Plus, you’ll find plenty of top-quality restaurants in the outer market where you can sample super fresh sushi, sashimi, and seafood bowls. Most of the restaurants are open super early and close early too – so 9.00am is the ideal time to visit.
Make a beeline for Sushizanmai for fresh sushi or sushi bowls. Head to Kitsuneya for Horumon-ni, the beef intestines simmered in miso. To sample traditional rice balls, make your way to Marutoyo.
The market is also much more central than Toyosu and is served by both Tsukiji Shijo Station (Toen Oedo Line) and Tsukiji Station (Hibiya Line) – both are just one minute walk away.
Adachi Fish Market
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AND NO-FRILLS
Adachi is huge, but it still feels off the beaten path. There’s no catering to tourists here whatsoever. This is a working fish market and maybe the best example of no-frills Japanese life around this industry and offers the most authentic experience.
It’s purely a fish market – it only does seafood, fish, and marine produce. You’ll see locals and restaurant workers chatting and picking up the freshest food going. Make your way to Uogashi Shokudo which is the area of the market that’s all about eating – the sushi here is a real taste of Japan. As an added plus, you won’t be paying tourist prices here.
Insider tip:
The wholesale market is usually closed to the public. But if you head here on the second Saturday of an odd-numbered month for “market day” the wholesale market is your oyster.
Adachi is a five-minute walk from Senjuohashi Station on the Keisei Main Line. For a more scenic route through the shotengai shopping streets, jump on the Tobu Skytree, Tsukuba Express, Chiyoda, Hibiya, or JR Joban Lines to Kita-Senju Station.
Now you’ve had your fill of fish, check out what to do in Tokyo in 48 hours, and how to get around Tokyo. Once you’ve tackled the inner city, why not set your sights further afield with our guide to visiting Mount Fuji.
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